Willow Smith On Polyamory & Loving Both 'Men & Women Equally'
My last relationship was fueled by jealousy and blind rage; checking each other's phones and fighting about our findings, angry at social media interactions and flirty onlookers alike. It took me a while to realize that weren't in love, we were in possession of one another, totally and completely. Someone told me once that if you love a flower, you shouldn't pick it up. Because if you pick it up, it dies and can no longer be the object of your affection, and I think the same applies to relationships.
The pressure of monogamy can bring to light a number of insecurities that may have been previously hidden and cause you to resent the person you once fell so deeply in love with. Yesterday, on the latest episode of Red Table Talk,18-year-old Willow Smith kept it a buck about how she really feels about monogamy, and challenged us to see it differently.
Willow is officially legal, and she's no longer the "Whip My Hair" popstar that we knew in 2010, and she made that abundantly clear when she expressed her views on sexuality.
"I love men and women equally and so I would definitely want one man, one woman. I feel like I could be polyfidelitous with those two people."
Needless to say, both Jada and Adrienne had their pearls clutched, but young Willow was making some pretty solid points. Willow noted that because divorce rates are so high, it suggests that there is something left to be desired when it comes to traditional relationship structures in the modern age. She expressed that polyamory would probably be more common if couples could let go of their own fear of losing ownership their partners:
"This is the scariest thought that people shy away from. It's the feeling of feeling like the person that you love is falling in love with somebody else. And that insecurity and fear just eats us alive."
I've never been good at sharing. I'll be the first one to help you get your own, but what's mine is mine. When you dig deeper into this way of thinking, you have to wonder, does this extend to people too? My ex was MY man and I was HIS girl. We got so wrapped up in this idea that we forgot people are not trophies to be earned, owned, or placed in a cabinet for display, and thinking of them in this way only led to jealousy, insecurity, and ultimately the end of our relationship.
Without trust, honesty, and transparency, no relationship, whether it be a couple, throuple, or quadrouple, will be successful. She explained:
"But that insecurity and fear is something that we need to overcome and something that we need to evolve out of and transmute that into something new and different that can actually be helpful and make us love more and more freely."
According to Willow, societal pressures to be one thing to one person cannot only be detrimental to our self-esteem, but oppressive to who we were made to be as human beings.
"Monogamy, I feel, actually inhibits you from learning those skills of evolving past those feelings of insecurity and jealousy."
I'm not saying just because you're not happy in your relationship, you should go out and open your marriage to other partners, but I do think Willow was wise beyond her years when it comes to making transparency a priority in your relationship.
Part of loving someone means being whole enough to not get intimidated when your waitress giggles a little too hard at his jokes or when he likes a picture on Instagram. And if you're like Willow, who's emotionally secure enough to manage her love for not one but two (or three) people, who's to say you're wrong?
Just because you're married, doesn't mean you suddenly let go of all of the wants, needs, and desires you had before you jumped the broom. It just means that you have to be mature and honest enough to talk about them with your partner.
Watch the full episode below!
Featured image by Instagram/@WillowSmith.
- Willow Smith Relationship Polyamory, Polyamorous - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- What Being In A Polyamorous Relationship Looks Like - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- Willow Smith Is 'Curious' About Polyamory | Black America Web ›
- Willow Smith Wants To Be In A Polyamorous Relationship ›
- Willow Smith Says She Loves Men and Women Equally | E! News ›
- Willow Smith talks sexuality, says she could see herself with both a ... ›
- Jada Pinkett and Willow Smith Just Talked About Threesomes—and ... ›
- Why Willow Smith Is Open To A Polyamorous Relationship: 'I Love ... ›
- Willow Smith Opens Up About Polyamory on 'Red Table Talk,' Wants ... ›
- Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith Talk "Throuples" and Polyamory ›
- Willow Smith Talks Polyamory, Says She Loves 'Men and Women' ›
- Willow Smith Open to Polyamorous Relationship: 'I Love Men ... ›
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
I Tried Beyoncé's Haircare Line CÉCRED & Here's My Honest Review
Beyoncé is snatching our wallets yet again with her latest business venture CÉCRED. In 2023, the Texas native hinted at a potential haircare line when she posted this photo causing fans to speculate that her next project would be focused on her famous tresses - they were right. Her haircare line Cécred launched on February 20 with her first drop called The Foundation Collection which focuses on haircare first, and I can only assume that a style product line for colored-treated hair will likely follow since Beyoncé is known for slaying various shades of blonde.
As a super fan since the early 2000s, it was only right that I give an honest review of the full line and purchase the Super Fan Bundle (retailed at $265) which includes the full product line of the 8 products, as well as a branded cosmetic bag. If you’re thinking, “Girl that bundle is too pricey for me,” I can assure you that for the value you're getting, the price is quite reasonable. This bundle was an intentional and marketable way to allow consumers to experience every Cécred product.
The brand messaging surrounding Cécred has been salon-inspired, and rightfully so as an ode to Beyoncé’s upbringing growing up in her mother’s hair salon in Houston. This line is backed by science and licensed cosmetologists showing that she’s done her research and appointed the experts. Cécred's IG feed has been filled with images and videos inside of hair salons including some videos of Ms. Tina herself assisting in the styling of beauty experts who visited Cécred's private salon to have the VIP treatment!
Now, have I seen influencers, consumers, and beauty stylists using the Foundation Collection at home? Yes, but I thought it was best to experience Cécred with my go-to cosmetologist who also happens to be my Auntie Tawana. She has been my educator and go-to for hair knowledge since I was a child and has had a hand in my mom's hair health which has always been goals for me. As a little girl, my Saturdays were spent sitting in her hair salon while my mama got her hair done as I patiently waited reading Jet and ESSENCE, ever so carefully eavesdropping on the conversations of the ladies who were coming for much more than just a beauty routine, but an experience.
I’d fall asleep on the plush couch in the waiting area flipping through magazines while listening to the sultry sounds of Maxwell. And I had my first lesson in breakup empowerment when I heard Sunshine Anderson’s “Heard It All Before.” So there was no other place for me to go than to see her, and because I’m her niece, I was able to visit her private salon in her home that she calls The After Hours where upon arrival I was greeted with my favorite Black-owned sparkling Rosé, candles lit, and my aunt’s breakdown of Cécred.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
But let me refocus and share my salon experience as I tried Cécred for the first time.
If You’re Wondering…Who is Cécred For?
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
When news of Beyoncé potentially launching a beauty brand hit the internet, there were a bunch of predictions of what and who the line would be marketed towards and if she’d have any wig care products as she’s known for slaying her units! But she went in a totally different direction which I love, and I’m going to tell you why. Critics have questioned if Beyoncé should be venturing into the haircare industry because she is often seen in weaves and wigs, but true Beyoncé fans know that she has healthy hair and that, like many Black women, experiments with various styles.
Cécred was created for all hair types and textures, including straight to coily, virgin, color-treated, chemically processed, and heat-styled. As a Black woman who has worn wigs, had chemically processed hair, heat-styled, natural, and color-treated hair, let me tell you, this was no easy feat! The amount of money I’ve spent on my hair through its various changes just on product alone, forget styling has been astronomical.
Cécred is serving the needs of various hair types in textures and I truly believe that this is going to make Beyoncé a true competitor in the hair industry amongst brands that are comparable such as OUAI and Olaplex. Both competitor brands have similar items at a higher price point and unlike Cécred, their products and brand messaging haven’t always felt inclusive to Black women and other hair types.
Cécred has been tested inclusively and the reviews from various hair types and backgrounds of consumers are allowing the brand to stand out.
I Tried Beyoncé's Haircare Line Cécred: My Honest Review
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
My hair has never felt cleaner and it shined for well over a week following the styling (but the oil should be used sparingly if like me, oil can weigh down your hair.) Immediately when my hair touched the sink, my aunt told me that she saw all the dirt and oils lifting from my hair when she applied the clarifying shampoo. As a girl who loves my curls, I am often judgy when I use any other shampoo and conditioner aside from Pattern, but not this time.
When my aunt guided my hands across my hair, she showed me how my curls weren’t tangled, and how she didn’t need to comb out my curls before applying the moisturizing deep conditioner or the deconstructing treatment mask.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
She applied each step with care and walked me through the process, and to my surprise, the hair mask wasn’t thick - but through trial and error as a natural girl, I’ve learned that a thick mask doesn’t always equal what’s best for your hair. She styled me with a silk press that left my hair with shine and I can honestly say that each step of the line is needed especially if you are someone who changes up your hair and deals with breakage. If your hair is healthy, you can opt out of the reconstructing treatment mask but I recommend taking the product line to your salon, having a discussion with your stylist on where your hair health needs improvement, and then purchasing based on that.
We know ourselves better than anyone else, but your stylist knows your hair better than you do. I like to lead with their knowledge first and then incorporate what my hair goals are. If you’re a girly who’s committed to hair health and has either the discipline to incorporate each step at home or can bring your products to the salon, Cécred is for you no matter if you’re a silk press or a wash-and-go naturalist.
Give Cécred a try, I’ll be using the line for my hair appointments until it runs out and if I see long-term results, it will be added to the beauty regimen indefinitely.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image courtesy of CÉCRED